Integrative Health Blog

The adrenal glands are two glands that sit on top of the kidneys. They are made up of the adrenal cortex and the adrenal medulla. The cortex is the outer part of the gland which produces hormones that are vital to life, such as cortisol, which helps regulate metabolism and helps your body respond to stress, and aldosterone, which helps control blood pressure. The medulla is the inner part of the gland that produces hormones such as adrenaline, which helps your body react to stress.

Adrenal fatigue is caused by chronic stress. When your adrenal glands cannot keep up with the demands of everyday fight-or-flight arousal, they can’t produce enough of the hormones you need to feel good. Existing blood tests can detect adrenal insufficiency once it’s already been burned out, but your body can detect it much sooner.

Thankfully, by putting yourself first and eating food as medicine, you can balance your hormones naturally. The adrenal healing cocktail is a wonderful drink that will help your adrenals become more balanced. For healing and balancing, drink the cocktail as soon as you wake up and 1 other time throughout the day. This will help to balance blood sugar and support your thyroid.

Using a blender, blend everything up into a yummy creamsicle-like drink. I like to drink it as is, but you could pour into Popsicle molds and freeze- kids love it.

Benefits:

Fresh squeezed orange juice is high in folate to support adrenal-fatigue induced depression. It also provides the liver with enough glucose it needs to regenerate, while providing a carbohydrate to the thyroid so it can better work to regulate metabolism.

Collagen is loaded with amino acids, which are the building blocks of protein. It is also helpful for thickening the intestinal mucosa.

Organic coconut cream provides the essential immune-boosting, brain supporting fat which will slow the release of glucose in the orange juice to provide balanced blood sugar.

Himalayan pink salt contains all 84 essential trace minerals that the adrenals and the nervous system needs to function properly. It is also alkaline-forming so it helps support the body's natural detoxification process.

* If you are not used to taking Vitamin C powder, start with one teaspoon, and work up to one tablespoon or bowel tolerance.

Brooke Mader CHHC, is a certified holistic health coach and has a master's degree in Nutrition from Maryland University of Integrative Health. Working at NIHA, Brooke is gaining an understanding of the complex role of food and nutrition on our health. She loves to share holistic health tips and integrative medical news from NIHA and the community via the NIHA facebook page and her website, naturalwildandfree.com.